You are very dangerous.

Caiyue Pavilion.

The largest pleasure house in Yanjiao City, and the favorite gathering place of the city’s scholars and gentlemen.

In this world, there is a distinction between pleasure houses and brothels. Brothels are straightforward and solely dedicated to the flesh trade, often small in scale and tucked away in discreet locations. The spider demon brothel that Chu Liang destroyed last time was just such a place—hidden somewhere unremarkable outside the city.

Pleasure houses, on the other hand, focus more on entertainment and performance. They are larger in scale and serve as social venues. Typically, the respectable young ladies here simply keep company over wine and perform arts for the guests.

Of course, if one insists on other requests, as long as the lady consents, it is not impossible.

However, the most sought-after courtesans are rarely so easily won. Even if you spend a fortune, you might only be rewarded with the chance for refined conversation and banquets. To pursue something more intimate is no simple matter.

Recently, Yan Xiaohu has been courting the most popular courtesan of Caiyue Pavilion, a young lady named Rou Yi.

Chu Liang learned all this from the Yan family’s gatekeeper, a warm-hearted uncle who, upon being politely asked a few questions—and having discreetly received two taels of silver—shared everything he knew.

It was already night.

When Chu Liang arrived at Caiyue Pavilion, the hall was alive with music and dance. On the first-floor stage, several women in flowing gauze robes moved gracefully to the accompaniment of musicians.

Down below, guests sat in groups at tables, enjoying banquets and performances with the company of lovely ladies. The second floor housed private seats, each compartmented by beaded curtains. The third floor was reserved for private rooms, frequented by the generous, the extravagant, or the shameless.

Undoubtedly, Yan Xiaohu was both generous and shameless.

Thus, as soon as Chu Liang entered, he made his way up the stairs.

He was quickly approached by a matron waving a fan, her eyes gleaming. “Oh my, such a fresh face! Young master, are you going upstairs to call for a lady?”

“Hello, I’m looking for someone,” Chu Liang replied. “Is Young Master Yan Xiaohu upstairs?”

“Oh, so you’re a friend of Master Yan! Please wait here, I’ll have someone escort you.” The madam was amiable enough. After all, Chu Liang’s refined appearance marked him as a true gentleman—certainly not the sort to cause trouble.

She beckoned a young attendant, who led Chu Liang up to the third floor and to the door of a private room.

Standing guard outside were two brawny men, their temples bulging—a clear sign of higher cultivation than the previous bodyguards. These must be Yan Xiaohu’s new hires.

“Please wait here, sir. I’ll announce you,” the attendant said.

“No need. I can go in myself.” Chu Liang gently stopped him and stepped forward.

The two guards exuded menace. As Chu Liang approached, they immediately assumed a posture that warned strangers away. But Chu Liang showed no fear and politely said, “Hello, I’m here for Yan Xiaohu. I’m his classmate.”

“Classmate?” The left guard’s brow furrowed. “The young master said, no visitors.”

The right guard was more direct. “Get lost.”

---

“When is Miss Rou Yi coming?” Yan Xiaohu, visibly displeased, sat in the private room, flanked by two nervous courtesans in colorful dresses. They trembled, terrified that this notorious young master would lose his temper.

“Miss Rou Yi is entertaining a guest. She’ll be here shortly, please do not worry, Master Yan.”

“I’ve spent several thousand taels of silver on her, and I still can’t get priority?” Yan Xiaohu’s injuries hadn’t faded from his face, and he fumed, “I’m in a foul mood right now.”

He’d been thrashed yesterday and humiliated at Nanshan Academy, leaving him frustrated and in need of diversion. Yet upon arriving, he was told that Miss Rou Yi was unavailable and would be some time.

Just as he was venting his anger, there was a sudden commotion outside—the door was slammed open, and his two bodyguards tumbled inside.

“What’s going on?” Yan Xiaohu jumped up with a shout.

“Young master, he insisted on barging in. We… we couldn’t stop him,” the bodyguards wailed as they scrambled up.

“In Yanjiao City, who would dare cross me, Yan Xiaohu?” He was about to explode.

Then, Chu Liang strolled in, calm as ever.

Yan Xiaohu’s anger vanished in an instant, his face blank for a moment before morphing into a polite smile. “Ch-Chu, Brother Chu, it’s you.”

He now feared Chu Liang—not just because he was no match for him, but also because his father, upon seeing the sword token Chu Liang delivered, made it clear: “People like him are not to be trifled with. Don’t even think about revenge.”

When someone both stronger than you and with greater backing comes knocking, there’s nothing to be done.

“I came to check on you. But your men told me to get lost,” Chu Liang said lightly.

“How rude of them!” Yan Xiaohu scowled, yelling, “You two, get out!”

The two guards, bewildered, were dismissed once more and slunk out, closing the door behind them.

“Heh, Brother Chu, please have a seat,” Yan Xiaohu said with a toadying grin.

“Thank you.” Chu Liang sat, then glanced at the two courtesans.

The young women, both still in their teens, regarded Yan Xiaohu as the most fearsome bully in Yanjiao City. To see this elegant youth command such fear in him only made them more nervous.

But when Chu Liang smiled gently at them, their fear quickly dissipated.

Surely, a young man with such a kind smile couldn’t be a bad person?

“Ladies, what is that behind you?” the handsome youth asked, pointing in puzzlement behind them.

---

“What?” The two women turned to look.

Thud. Thud.

Two dull thumps, and the courtesans collapsed to the floor, one after the other.

Behind them, Chu Liang stood holding half a shining gold brick, a look of disappointment on his face.

“Ah…” Yan Xiaohu, who had witnessed the entire scene, opened his mouth but couldn’t find words.

He was utterly confused.

The Yan family had a long history in vices; Yan Xiaohu had grown up frequenting pleasure houses and had seen all sorts of implements used for entertainment.

But a brick? This was a first.

What kind of fetish was this?

Chu Liang weighed the gold brick in his hand, then put it away. “Don’t worry, they’re fine. They just happened to be rendered unconscious. But you are in danger, do you understand?”

“I’m in danger?” Yan Xiaohu paused, then nodded.

Indeed.

With you here, how could I not be in danger?

“Chen Da died last night. Of those who bullied Situ Yan, only you remain,” Chu Liang said bluntly. “Situ Yan may have become a Painted Skin Ghost, able to disguise herself as anyone. Anyone who approaches you could be it in disguise.”

“What?” Yan Xiaohu was shocked.

He’d heard tales of vengeful ghosts seeking retribution, but never took them seriously. After all, unlike the others, he practiced martial arts and had skilled protectors. Ordinary spirits couldn’t possibly kill in the Black Tiger Gang’s territory.

But…

If it was the legendary Painted Skin Ghost, killing a mere first-rank martial artist like him would be child’s play.

Chu Liang, as dangerous as he was, would only beat him up. A ghost, however, meant death.

He quickly grasped the gravity of the situation and realized Chu Liang was here because of him. “Brother Chu, can you help me?”

“I’m here to save you,” Chu Liang replied. “I suspect the Painted Skin Ghost is already targeting you, so I came to watch over you. I have a way to identify it. Anyone who approaches you tonight, I’ll need to check.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” Yan Xiaohu nodded fervently, then pointed at the two courtesans on the floor. “Brother Chu, please check them first.”

“…I already have,” Chu Liang replied after a pause.